This week, Common released his new album "Universal Mind Control." Here he is in an interview speaking to Clinton Sparks about the album. Check it out! I am digging the album so far. I am glad The Neptunes played a big part in the production of this one...
BCTV: Common Live in Atlanta at the 595 north from Broccolicity TV on Vimeo.
Common performed in Atlanta recently. He performed some of the songs from his upcoming album and some new ones too..
Common's upcoming album Universal Mind Control is generating a lot of buzz it seems with the news that The Neptunes were going to produce a majority of the album. Many are comparing UMC to his album Electric Circus, which was Common's most experimental album to date. In working with The Neptunes, Common's aim is to please party-goers so the album will definitely will make you dance. Prior to the release of Universal Mind Control, many of us heard that Common was going to release an album The Believer. Then, we heard that the title of his upcoming album was titled Invicible Summer, which eventually turned out to be Universal Mind Control. Well, according to Common, The Believer will still be released. In fact, it will be the title of his next album and he is already developing plans for the release. In a recent interview with MTV, he stated: "The Believer is definitely gonna be an album." "It's gonna be the next album. I was ready to make The Believer, then I started working on an EP called Invincible Summer [click to read]. Then I was like, 'OK, Universal Mind Control — that's the name of the single.' Like we said on the song, 'If you wanna dance, let's dance.' That's what that whole concept is like: Whatever you want the people to do, you create the music for them to do it."
I did a little research and actually found a tracklisting for The Believer album. Remember this was supposed to be released before UMC, but Common was inspired to go into a different direction. He made a comment to MTV news basically stating that the current state of the government influenced UMC. He needed to release and just break loose. Anyway, here is the tracklisting:
"Lost Alley (Coltrane's Reprise)"
"The Believer (Feat. The Philadelphia Experiment and Joshua Redman)"
"To Find Mecca is Within... (Feat. C.L. Smooth and Q-Tip)"
"Moonlight (Feat. Christina Aguilera)"
"The Cause"
"Nirvana is in the Blunt"
"Chicago School (Feat. Kanye West, Twista, Do or Die and R. Kelly)"
"Sinewave"
"@1AM (Feat. Roy Hargrove, Nas, Guru, and Greg Osby)"
"Green Room (Freestyle)"
"Empty Threats (Feat. Kool G Rap, Rahzel, Joe Budden and Talib Kweli)"
"Skyline (Feat. Estelle)"
"Stay Good"
"Ghetto Purgatory"
"Diagnosis (Skit)"
"Requiem for a Love"
Just by looking at the tracklisting, I can see that this album would've definitely been one of those classic hip-hop albums that Common is known for. There seems to be a lot of features on the album, primarily from classic hip-hop artists. And it looks like there is a touch of jazz on this album, which is cool. I am looking forward to UMC, but I am already excited about The Believer. I am pretty sure that once it is released, this tracklisting will be a lot different. I am sure there will be a lot of changes.
Common's new album Universal Mind Control will be released on December 9th. The album has undergone a few release date changes and it seems that the December date will be the last straw. Common seems to be embarking on a new, creative chapter in his music career, as witnessed with his current single, "Universal Mind Control." The track was produced by The Neptunes and has a techno, dance sound to it. This is not Common's first time experimenting, however, or working with The Neptunes. Remember 2002's Electric Circus album? That was probably Common's most experimental work to date. Back then, he was dating Erykah Badu, which some say influenced his sound on the album. The album sold under 300,000 copies, but it actually received a lot of positive views. On the album, he worked with longtime producer and friend, J Dilla (R.I.P), James Poyser, ?uestlove, and The Neptunes. I am glad to see that he is working with The Neptunes again on the Universal Mind Control album. They actually produced a major chunk of the album! Kanye West also put his magic touch on the album on about two songs, but needless to say, this album screams Neptunes production. Take a look at the tracklisting below:
1. "Announcement" - Featuring Pharrell
Produced by The Neptunes
2. "Universal Mind Control (UMC) - Featuring Pharrell
Produced by The Neptunes
3. "Runaway"-Featuring Santogold
4. "Make My Day"- Featuring Cee-Lo
Produced By Mr. DJ
5. "Punch Drunk Love"- Featuring Kanye West
Produced by Kanye West
6. "Gladiator" - Featuring Pharrell
Produced by The Neptunes
7. "What A World"- Featuring Chester French
Produced by The Neptunes
8. "The Eye"-Featuring Pharrell Williams
9. "Changes"
Produced By Mr. DJ
10. "Party Shit"
11. "Dreaming"
Produced by Alex Kresovich
Indeed, just judging from his current singles, "Announcement" and "Universal Mind Control," Common's sound is far different than the "Common Sense" of the past. Working primarily with the collective known as The Soulquarians, which consist of ?uestlove, Dilla (R.I.P), Q-Tip, Bilal, D-Angelo, James Poyser, Mos Def, etc., he is now toying with different elements now. Do you think this new album will have the outcome that Electric Circus did? Do you think that it will venture too far away from the foundation of Hip-Hop? I believe that the album will be just as good as Electric Circus, but I am undecided on how well it will sell. I definitely think that it will do better than Electric Circus, just judging from the everyone's comments about his single, "Universal Mind Control" even though most people aren't really feeling "Announcement." Honestly, I do not think it will sell that well, but, hey, I could be wrong.
Common's last two albums Be and Finding Forever featured mostly production from Kanye. On this new album, of course Kanye has much of a lesser role. Check out this in-depth interview with Common, which may make it clear to you why he worked with The Neptunes this time around. Common describes the inspiration for this album and talks about what things were like in the studio with The Neptunes. He states that he and Pharrell drew ideas from each other. Check it out though. It's a really good interview and I hope you enjoy it! The video was recorded a little before we found out the new release date for his album. Therefore, when he talks about the album being released in November, the album will actually be released in December now. Before I conclude, I have to say that I do miss Dilla and Common working together. I believe that if he was alive, Common probably would've had his production on this album too. They were actually really close friends and J Dilla loved to be different too and explore with his music production. Like Water For Chocolate is definitely my favorite Common album. R.I.P Dilla aka Jay Dee!!
Common on KUBE 93's Sound Session from DJ Hyphen on Vimeo.
I love this video!!! It's all futuristic, psychodelic and everything else you could think of! You know Common must've spent some major stacks on this one. This is definitely a hot joint. I have been rocking this song in my car for a while. This sound is a little different for Common, but kinda reminds me of what he was doing on that Electric Circus album, which was highly experimental. I think that was when he was messing around with Erykah Badu and she twisted up his head a little bit. It seems that he is still trying to be creative without Ms. Badu. I can't wait to hear the new Common album, which drops on sometime in November. Oh, and another plus to this video is Pharrell!!!! You know I am a big fan!! Haha!! What do you think about the video?
UMC Teaser from kwest on Vimeo.
Wow!! Check out this sneak peak of Common's new song "Universal Mind Control," which will premiere soon. This video looks amazing from the graphics to the special effects. Common is about to turn it up a notch. One of my favorite producers Pharrell produced the track and it's definitely hot! I remember when Common came out with "I Used To Love Her," which is one of his famous songs, where Common talks about Hip-Hop!! Make sure you look up the track if you haven't heard it. It is actually a Hip-Hop classic. Anyway, I would've never imagined to be at this point in his music career and to top it off, he is also an actor. I am proud of you Common Sense!!! Ya'll I can't wait to see this vid!!
So it seems that rapper/actor Common and tennis superstar Serena Williams are dating. Common joined her for a little tennis practice during the U.S. Open. They are so cute together! I had no idea they were dating until now.. 
Check out Common behind the scenes for his upcoming videos "Universal Mind Control" and "Announcement." I am totally psyched about this new Common album. My boys The Neptunes are producing most of the album. Yay!!! Haha! Common aka Common Sense has been making music for a long time and I am happy that his music is reaching a wider audience and he is now even evolving as an actor. Common will be in the new Terminator 4 movie too. My brother who works at a military base in Albuquerque, NM sent me a text the other day telling me that he saw Common on the set of the movie last week. So I guess the movie is currently being filmed in New Mexico. He said Common said hi to him, which is cool. He also saw Christian Bale who is also in the movie. For all of my hip-hop heads out there, remember when he came out with "I Used to Love Her" in the early 90's? That was the joint! Anyway, both of these singles sound pretty good. I have been listening to "Universal Mind Control" for a few months now and I really love the song. It is a lot different than what you are used to from Common. Well, enjoy the footage and please leave comments if you have any.
Check out the new joint below from rapper Common. The song is titled "Universal Mind Control" and features one of my favorite producers Pharrell. It is unclear as to whether this will be the lead single from his upcoming album Invincible Summer, which is scheduled for release in July. Reportedly, the album will feature production from The Neptunes and Mr. DJ. This new track reminds me of his album Electric Circus. He was criticized for the album, but I was digging the feel of it. "Universal Mind Control" displays a different vibe from Common that was displayed on his album Electric Circus, which was released in 2002. The track has a futuristic vibe and is something that people can dance to. Big ups to my boy Common for keeping the people guessing. You know I am buying this album. Let me know what you think of the song whether negative or positive.
All of Kanye West's sampling has caught up to him. Apparently, the Hip-Hop artist has been sued by Kathleen Firrantello, who is the daughter of late jazz musician Joe Farrell, for sampling her father's music without approval. She is seeking compensation in the amount of $1 million dollars. It doesn't stop there, however. She is also charging other artists and their recording companies, such as Method Man, Common, Redman, Def Jam Music Group and its label Roc-A-Fella Records, Universal Music Group with its labels Interscope Records, Geffen Records and A&M Records and Vivendi. The track in question that these artists sampled is "Upon This Rock," which was recorded in 1974. She has asked that no copies of the song be sold, made, or performed in the future. I wonder how this whole thing will turn out. Any thoughts?
